Ex-players to help rugby league
Fiji National Rugby League now has a pool of ex-players who assists in current player development, character building and mentorship programmes for aspiring Fijian athletes.
Acting chief executive officer Don Natabe said more positive vibes were expected during their partnership with the Fiji Rugby League Players Association (FRLPA).
“From what I gather, FNRL will now have a pool of ex-players come and help with player development, character building and mentorship programmes,”Natabe said.
The 2021 Rugby League World Cup will be held in England between October 23, 2021 and November 27, 2021.
The tournament will include 16 teams, an increase of two from the last two tournaments.
The Vodafone Fiji Bati is in Group B alongside Australia, Scotland and Italy.
Natabe added next year will see the latest iteration of the oldest rugby world cup when they gather in England to enjoy RLWC 2021; it will be a sporting event to rival anything. “The 2021 Rugby League World Cup is in the UK and Fijians in the UK will start to gather in communities as we prepare for this global event,” he said.
“We hope to see those of the UK Rugby League Players society in action, gathering support for our gladiators. The Fiji Defence Force and Fiji Police League will also be featured in the 2021 Festival of Rugby League World Cups. We are all looking forward to it.”
Rugby League – 125 years old
Furthermore, the sport of rugby league celebrated its 125th birthday last Saturday.
The game was born on August 29, 1895 when 21 clubs met at the George Hotel in Huddersfield, England and established the Northern Rugby Football Union, which became the Rugby Football League in 1922.
From that original group of clubs there are now thousands of clubs based around the world in over more than 53 countries. International Rugby League chair, Greg Barclay said, “We have a very long and proud history which deserves to be recognised across the sporting landscape.
“Throughout the history of the game we have seen, and we continue to see the heights of sporting endeavour played out in front of knowledgeable audiences drawn from communities that are steeped on the values of rugby league.”